Music entrepreneur Jamal Edwards’ death was a result of cardiac arrhythmia after he took recreational drugs, his mother has announced.
Edwards – who was best known for founding SB.TV, which helped launch the careers of artists including Dave and Ed Sheeran – passed away in February of this year at the age of 31.
His mother, Brenda Edwards, a singer and Loose Women panellist, shared a statement on Twitter on Tuesday, addressing the coroner’s findings.
Rest In Peace my beautiful baby 💙💙💙 pic.twitter.com/SVxd6hJ5iN
— Brenda Edwards (@brenda_edwards) June 7, 2022
“I have sadly learned that the cause of Jamal’s devastating passing was due to cardiac arrhythmia caused by having taken recreational drugs and I wanted to address this myself to everyone who loved, admired and respected my son,” she wrote.
“Since finding out the news I’ve been in a state of shock, and I am still trying to process it, but it’s so important to me that I do address it as no mother or any loved one should have to go through what Jamal’s sister, Tanisha, and I have been through since he passed.”
Edwards went on, saying: “We have to come to terms with what has happened, and Jamal is proof that this can happen to anyone. These types of substances are extremely unpredictable, and we can only hope that this will encourage others to think wisely when faced with similar situations in the future. His passing has shown that any one bad decision on any one occasion can lead to devastating consequences.
“It’s so important that we help drive more conversation about the unpredictability of recreational drugs and the impact that they can have – how it takes just one bad reaction to destroy lives. I would do anything to have my son back but that is just not possible so if I can help save one life, then we have achieved something.”
The inquest into Jamal Edwards’ heard that he died on February 20th after a cardiac arrest at his mother’s address in Acton.
Assistant Coroner Catherine Wood said: “He came home late one evening, after which he became increasingly agitated and suffered a cardiac arrest.
“He was deteriorating despite treatment and died on 20 February of this year. A post-mortem has been undertaken and I have reason to suspect that the death was an unnatural death.”
The inquest was adjourned, and will resume in eight weeks’ time.
Brenda Edwards’ statement ended: “In Jamal’s own words – the goal isn’t to live forever; the goal is to create something that will.
“My beautiful son, you did that and then some.”
